From the blog

Back to Blogging: Fosca (1998 – 2011)

It’s hard to believe the last time that I had a chance to drop by over here in this blog to create another entry was a bit over a month ago! My goodness! Where did the time really go over the last few weeks? It looks like the world just decided to spin over and over at double the speed, not allowing us to catch breath and move on nicely with the flow. I bet a bunch of you folks thought I had given up on blogging altogether (once again, after this long hiatus!) and move elsewhere. Well, not really. In fact, if you have been hanging out there on the various social networks that I use on a regular basis you would notice how during that period of time things have been relatively quiet from yours truly. Not because I may be suffering from some kind of social fatigue, but mostly because this time around real life, that parallel world we are all immersed in, decided to make a stand and have a whole lot more prevalence during these last few weeks dictating what yours truly would be doing here and there. The truth is though that things are starting to slow down a bit again, and it is therefore time for me to come back to my usual regular blogging, where I need to do some serious catch-up with what’s been happening in multiple fronts… But, hey, it’s good to come back! Always!

Anyway, I am sure at this point in time you may be wondering about what I have been up to in the last few weeks, right? So I thought I would just try to cover some of the things I have been involved with in that time, so you can have a good glimpse as to why it took me so long to come back to the blog and pick up again my blogging mojo. Well, as a starting point, work has continued to increase quite a bit, as we are approaching year end and I am sure most of you folks would understand what I mean with that. So I have been ramping up a bunch of customer meetings and workshops talking about “The Social Enterprise”, and, as usual, learning quite a bit about it from other people’s experiences. I am hoping in upcoming blog posts to talk about those experiences and also perhaps share some of the materials I have been using in those events.

Those customer meetings and workshops meant I had to do quite a bit of business travelling during that time as well, to combine it all with a good bunch of conferences that I have participated in the last 3 weeks, where I travelled to 5 different cities in 5 different countries. To name: Paris, Brussels, Frankfurt, Zurich and Madrid. So you can imagine how hectic things have been in that front. But this time around things have been a whole lot worse, because during those business trips I didn’t manage to stay connected for long periods of time or, at least, for as long as I would have hoped for, something that towards the end of it all really started bugging me big time, but that’s perhaps the topic of another blog post later on…

For now, suffice to say that it wasn’t a pleasant experience, quite the opposite, so, eventually, I needed to have some time off, to chill out, unwind, recharge my batteries and come back in full force. But, once again, life had a big surprise for yours truly that has surely managed to keep me quiet on the Social Web out there for a while, because I didn’t feel it was the right time, and it’s actually this blog post that I am putting together today the one that marks the time where I feel I need to talk about something that has left a big mark in my personal life and that as soon as I share what it is all about there would be a bunch of you folks who could relate to it as well pretty much.

If you have been following this blog for a good while now you would notice how early next year it will be 8 years since I moved to Gran Canaria, where I currently live and work. I cannot believe it’s been that long, to be honest, but I guess that time flies when you are having good fun! Anyway, when I came over here I ended up being part of a family: Fosca’s family.

Fosca was a black (with a white patch across her chest) flat-coated retriever that surely managed to receive me really well into her family without making much noise, without barking too much either, not even a single complain of having lost some of the attention from others, but showing, from day one that I met her, an unprecedented affection for yours truly that translated into one of those relationships that you know is going to leave a mark for good. Time and time again I used to tweet that I would be going out for a long walk, or a good run, with the dog… Well, that dog was Fosca. Numerous and countless hours were spent together. I became, indeed, part of her family. She was already 5 years old when I met her and it felt like I knew her forever. Her shiny and attentive brown eyes were something to die for! You could never say “No!” to her with those looks she knew how to use them on your to turn around whatever you were going to say… That’s how she was! Always having plenty of time to dedicate to you, to take you for a walk or two, to make you run for a while to keep you in shape, to share plenty of that affection without even asking anything in return. Just like being part of the family from the beginning!

The thing is that in the last year and half things weren’t that well for her; she had to go through a number of operations to remove a couple of tumours and eventually on October 27th 2011, she decided that enough was enough and she needed to move on. So she left us. I would probably never forget the look in her face the day that we took her to the vet. There she was, as lively, agile, playful, charming and entertaining as ever, jumping back and forth, waving her tail without remedy, just as if nothing really happened and she was ready to go for another long walk. Except that was the last time that we would ever see her alive. A very sad day. A few very sad days eventually ever since. Last thing that we wanted for her would be that she would suffer a rather slow and painful last few weeks of her treasured life. So one of the toughest decisions I have ever come across myself in my life had to be done. There was no way back. But being the amazing creature that she is she managed to have the rest of the family sorted out on her way out.

They say that there aren’t any coincidences in life, and probably there aren’t. Things happen for a reason and all of the events from that morning certainly confirmed that she was right all along. She needed to find a way for us to move on with our lives, after the wonderful years we had together, and she managed to make it happen in one of the most natural ways you can ever imagine. Serendipity, once again, doing its magic, but with a purpose this time around. Help us move along from our pain of having lost a dear friend for good, only to realise that she will be in our hearts for the rest of our lives!

So you can imagine by now how tough it’s been for yours truly to eventually sit down and write about this stuff. It’s something that I am not used to. You probably even never will get used to it. Not that I would want to either! Days have gone by and I still can’t get used to it. I can’t help but think about all of those little precious moments we enjoyed together with the rest of family and the huge amount of joy and tender love and affection she had for everyone! Experiences like the one we have been going through in the last few days are something that I would probably not wish it to anyone who has got a dear pet sitting right next to them as they read these few words. Please allow me to ask you all to go and give them a big hug and a stroke here and there and think of Fosca. Just like we do every single day. It’s been tough, indeed, even as I write this, I just can’t help stopping every so often to clear my watery eyes. But, like she would have wanted, life goes on and as such we also need to keep moving on. Like I mentioned above, she is a part of us, she will always be in our hearts and our fondest memories; she will be pretty much irreplaceable, but she would have wanted us to carry on knowing that at some point we will probably be meeting up again. For now we know she is in a better place, perhaps playing with other dogs, and enjoying the odd bone here and there, and having a blast, enjoying a new life, whatever and wherever that may well be…

Now you know why I have been quiet on the blogging front for a while. Now you know why I found it very hard to sit down, start writing about her and share with you a glimpse of what she was like and what she meant for the rest of the family. She was rather temperamental, always difficult to catch up on a snapshot, whatever the angle, whatever the scenario, but over the course of the last 8 years we did manage to take a few pictures of her and to close off this blog entry I thought I would share some of them over here, just like I did on my Google Plus profile on the day it happened, as a way to treasure and honour her friendship and companionship, her loyalty to the whole family, the numerous precious memories that will remain for a long while with all of us and that we lived together over time. In short, here are some pictures of Fosca, our dear and beloved pet that passed away on October 27th…

Rest in peace, our dear Fosca! And thanks ever so much for changing our lives the way you did and for making us better people as a result of it! You will never be forgotten. Not now, not tomorrow, not ever!

Hey Luis, I remember when I had to take my beautiful cat of 15 years, Bazarr, to the vet for the last time too back in 2004. She had a brain tumour and the pain of seeing her suffer was too much. I know EXACTLY what you went through and can empathise completely.

It was wonderful to see you again in Madrid last week and hope we won’t leave it so long between catch up’s in 2012.

Hi Luis – very sad to read this. As I write this comment I’m looking at a picture on my desk of Inga – our Boston mix – with whom we walked this path about 3 yrs ago when she was about 16 yrs old. I certainly understand how tough the decision is to let go and move on but know it is the kind thing to have done. Best wishes.

Hola Luiz,
well, actually, I visited your blog to get the last remaining little inspiration to start writing my first blog post. well, life is composed of moments that lead us in different other directions, changing our plans and much more. Thanks for this post, even if I won’t make it to write mine anymore today.

I hope you take your own words serious and will think of all the beautiful moments again and again. I takes a long while, but some day the pictures will fade away, slowly – but the same happens with the feeling of the loss. It’s actually a perfect balance. I was surprised that I forgot this year to remember the 15th of October (4yrs ago). It came to my mind a few days later, maybe on the 27th. Actually, I had to make the same decision and this was very sad. I never never ever wanted to make it, but it was the only thing to do.

However, they might have met already and could become good friends… But wait!!! How about Foscas eating habits? Is she likely to share food? – at least from time to time? That would be ESSENTIAL for this friendship. Max, as one year old dog was rescued (almost starved) from a deserted farm house. He didn’t forget how important food is for the following 16 years. and he always was a master in food, but in sharing it – just in a few exceptional cases 😉

Hello everyone! WOW!! Truly touched! Thanks ever so much for dropping by and for the kind comments! It surely has been quite tough couple of weeks, but the support shown has been incredibly helpful and things are slowly back to normal. @Stephen, yes, indeed, it’s rather tough to lose a friend; always! Specially, when that friend admitted you into her family without a single woof, woof or anything else. Just like being one more of the family! Very humbling experience altogether!

@Roy, thanks much! Indeed, she was! Last couple of years were a bit rough on her, but the pictures I shared do show her in the splendor we would always want to remember her as! Young, lively, playful, affectionate, candid and very indulging! 🙂

@Jozefa, many thanks for the kind comments as well, and for sharing that story, along with the one from @Rob & @David! Looks like at some point in time we have all experienced such thing and it’s always amazing to see how much affection one can have towards a pet over the course of the years and how tough it surely can get! No doubt! Lucky enough, I am hoping to be sharing some really good news shortly that I am surely will put a smile on us all! Can’t say much at the moment, but stay tuned for when we are ready :-)) hehe

@Karen, what a wonderful comment! Thanks a lot for sharing across and also for taking the time to share that story! And I *do* hope you take on blogging! I never thought it would be having such effect, but writing the original article meant quite a lot for yours truly. Like a liberating moment from chest pain that wouldn’t go away! I still read through it after a couple of days and I still get the shivers as I go through it! I can surely recommend you get things going with your blog and with your passion for the topic you may have selected! I bet you would have a bunch of subscribers already! Starting with yours truly! 🙂

Oh, btw, Fosca was amazingly caring and sharing towards others, even with her own food! When she was rather young she suffered quite a bit as we found her on the streets, but little by little she showed the true good heart she had for us all, and even with food! A treat. Seriously. I know she will be just fine wherever she may well be, but one thing for sure, we will keep treasuring her kindness and tender, loving care! Like no other!

@Brian, thanks again, for dropping by and for the kind words! They have meant a lot for me and the rest of the family and we hope to be sharing some really good news, soon! 🙂

Luis – I’m in tear’s over this story my heart goes out to you about loosing Fosca – your family pet. I too feel the loss. My beloved pet Ms. Meow passed on this year .I still cry… I thought I was over the worse part of it until I read your story. Good Grief I’m a teary eyed mess now..:(
RIP Ms. Meow 1992 – 2011. She was 19 year old. All animals are in Pet Heaven..with deepest sympathy.

Luis, a really tough moment. Lost my 13 year-old best friend last year. Had to decide to put him to rest, a hard decision but one that I think our loving friends would agree with. Maybe Fosca went to play with my Billy on his would-be 15th birthday 😉

Luis what a lovely post and tribute. Fosca looks amazing in the photos – and it is true even though we know that logically we can’t have them for ever losing them touches us at our most human level.. we have cherished them, cared for them, loved them and they have been so much more than the word “pets” conveys 🙂 I am sitting here with two very old cats that have been the witnesses to our family’s lives and show us all love unconditionally, fight with us for the best places on the couch … express their disgust at attempts to change the food, the routine, the furniture !! hate the hoover with a passion and at the end of the day sit down beside us and purr with delight – priceless moments 🙂

Hello folks! Catching up with the blog after quite an amazing last few weeks to finish off 2011 with a splash! Many many thanks for your wonderful comments and kind wishes! In the toughest of moments and over the last few weeks they have been amazingly helpful not just to help me, but also the entire family! It’s greatly appreciated all of the support offered and the warm wishes!

@Rob, yes, I know what you mean, I still get watery eyes myself when talking about Fosca, even today, a couple of months after her passing away! I guess time will heal the wound, or perhaps Boira (You should go and read further on who is the Master of the House!) 🙂

@Jennifer, thanks for the comments! I tell you what! I am certain there is a Pet Heaven out there; one where they are watching over us and ensure we are doing fine. One day I should tell you the story of how Boira came to us. Fosca herself played a big role in her last moments of breath!

@Mauro, Thank you, as well! I am sure they are!! They are probably having a bone or two and running around like crazy! I wouldn’t be surprised!!

@Sheena, Awww, what a lovely set of comments! Very touching! Many thanks for sharing them along! Yes, it surely was a tough moment to go through, but, you know, the wonderful memories will always be there, which is what matters at this stage 🙂 hehe

@Joe, ohh, that’s quite a coincidence, indeed! Sharing the same name, I mean! I am really sorry to hear about the loss from Fusca, but I am sure it was the best thing for her. It was a tough decision for us, too! It’s the last thing you would ever want to do, but it’s better that way to avoid further pain and suffering. I’m sure things will get better soon, if not already… Hang in there!